Psychological distress of patients with head and neck cancer following various oncologic treatments-A longitudinal study.

BACKGROUND

Head and neck cancers (HNC) are complex conditions that require multidisciplinary management, as they impact critical functions such as speech, swallowing, and often lead to visible disfigurement, profoundly affecting a patient's quality of life (QoL). The combination of these factors along with the disease can significantly diminish the QoL, causing considerable anxiety and depression in these patients. The purpose of this study is to assess depression and anxiety in patients who underwent surgery and radiotherapy for the management of HNC, by using a modified assessment scale.

MATERIALS AND METHOD

A total of 80 HNC patients were recruited from a tertiary cancer care center, of which 73 patients completed the study. Anxiety and depression were assessed in two-time intervals, after surgery and radiotherapy, using modified assessment scales (DASS, SAS, PHQ, HADS, and BAI) in their regional languages. The responses were collected and then analyzed statistically.

RESULTS

Among the included participants, 45.2% had a diagnosis of buccal mucosal cancer. A considerable percentage of the post-surgery group reported changes like altered diet (32.9%), trouble sleeping (27.4%), frequent body pain (23.3%), dysphagia (21.9%), and xerostomia (21.9%). These changes were probably brought on by the impact of surgical trauma on salivary flow and oral function, which in turn affected the patient's QoL. A statistically significant difference was noted in the DASS and PHQ scales (p = 0.003 and p = 0.004), while no significant difference was observed on the SAS and BAI scales (p = 0.809 and p = 0.854). Notably, most patients were hesitant to seek professional assistance.

CONCLUSION

To assess patients' psychological well-being and optimize their treatment approaches, it is essential to assess anxiety and depression symptoms periodically during HNC treatment. In order to improve their QoL and promote positive health outcomes, evidence-based interventions are essential.